RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb 21: Salkhan Murmu, a former BJP legislator and Adivasi Senegal (empowerment) Abhiyan president, sought first language status for Santhal in Jharkhand today, while commemorating the struggle of Bangladeshi students for rightful recognition of Bangla language over Urdu on Mother Language Day.
“Our demand is that the Santali language, the largest and most widely spoken tribal language in the state, be designated as Jharkhand’s first official language as soon as possible and that additional Jharkhand tribal languages be included in the 8th schedule,” Murmu released a press statement demanding.
He further asked tribal society to be careful with foreign languages.
“Any initiatives to save, enhance, and enrich tribal languages must be significant to tribal society. Because tribals rely on their ‘Hasa (land)’ and ‘Bhasa (language)’ for survival, tribal society must exercise caution when it comes to alien languages, cultures, and religions,” he stated.
On the occasion, he also paid tribute to those who worked to include Santhali in either schedule of the constitution.
“The participation of Santali Bhasha Morcha has been historic in the remarkable success of placing the Santali language in the Eighth Schedule on 22 December 2003. Thus a special johar for all the agitators involved,” he remarked.
Earlier in his statement, the Santhal leader recalled how International Mother Language Day originated around the world.
“Today is World Mother Language Day. On February 21, 1952, students agitating for the recognition of the Bangla language were gunned down by the police administration in Dhaka University, then East Pakistan and many language-loving agitating students who were fighting for the recognition of Bangla language in substitute of Urdu were slain. In his honour, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999. Following that, the United Nations recognised it. “The day is now being observed worldwide,” Murmu stated.
Talking about the relevance of the day, he said: “Currently, 40% of the world’s approximately 7000 languages are on the edge of extinction. Tribal languages have reached critical mass due to a lack of specific attention in the country and states of India. The most awful condition is in Jharkhand, a tribal state.”
